Hyposalinity elicits physiological responses and alters intestinal microbiota in Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

Global warming significantly impacts aquatic ecosystems, with changes in the salt environment negatively affecting the physiological responses of fish. We investigated the impact of hyposalinity on the physiological responses and intestinal microbiota of Sebastes schlegelii under the context of increased freshwater influx due to climate change. We focused on the osmoregulatory capacity, oxidative stress responses, and alterations in the intestinal microbiome of S. schlegelii under low-salinity conditions. Our findings revealed compromised osmoregulatory capacity in S. schlegelii under low-salinity conditions, accompanied by the activation of oxidative stress responses, indicating physiological adaptations to cope with environmental stress. Specifically, changes in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity in gill tissues were associated with decreased osmoregulatory capacity. Furthermore, the analysis of the intestinal microbiome led to significant changes in microbial diversity. Exposure to low-salinity environments led to dysbiosis, with notable decreases in the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria at the class level and specific genera such as Enterovibrio, and Photobacterium. Conversely, Bacilli classes, along with genera like Mycoplasma, exhibited increased proportions in fish exposed to low-salinity conditions. These findings underscore the potential impact of environmental salinity changes on the adaptive capacity of fish species, particularly in the context of aquaculture. Moreover, they highlight the importance of considering both physiological and microbial responses in understanding the resilience of aquatic organisms to environmental stress. Additionally, they highlight the importance of intestinal microbiota analyses in understanding the immune system and disease management in fish.